9.12.2016

Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields Is Crowned Miss America 2017

Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields waves to the crowd after being named Miss America 2017 in Atlantic City on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields won the Miss America pageant Sunday night in Atlantic City and promptly delivered a message to the two leading presidential candidates: "Compromise" is not a dirty word.

Shields was asked during her onstage interview what she thought of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton; she answered that while both Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have done a good job thus far, "they also need to watch what they're doing."

Meeting reporters after the pageant, Shields elaborated.

"What I want both candidates to focus on is compromise," she said. "Our country was founded on compromise. We're in a state now where both parties just seem to be yelling at one another."

Shields topped a field of 52 contestants to win the crown and the title of Miss America 2017, succeeding the outgoing Miss America Betty Cantrell.

Shields performed a jazz dance to a song from the TV show "Smash," for which she won a preliminary competition earlier in the week.

Shields is an art major at the University of Arkansas who wants to help people make better food choices. Her secret dream is to be a backup dancer for Beyoncé.

She also said she wants to be as accessible as possible, and urged anyone who is near her to come up and introduce themselves to her.

Sunday's finale was held on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. Many of the contestants noted the solemn anniversary, professed strong support for America's armed forces and struck patriotic themes. Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer sang "God Bless America" for her talent program.

The pageant from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall included contestants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The pageant began in Atlantic City in 1921 as a way to extend the summer tourist season beyond Labor Day weekend.